In this episode, host Dana Brookover, PhD interviews Michelle Caulk, PhD about her qualitative, narrative-based dissertation study titled, "Christian, Childfree by Choice Women: Narrative-Based Experiences and Implications for Mental Health Counseling."

Dr. Caulk discusses the narrative study's implications for counseling, counselor education, and our personal lives. She also shares her tips and tricks for success in a doctoral program.

Guest bio:
Dr. Michelle Caulk is a licensed counselor and counselor educator. She has founded a counseling center, joyfully helped clients live in hope and wholeness, and teaches future counselors. Dr. Michelle has an established history of writing and speaking passionately on topics such as mental health in the church and counseling the bereaved.

Dr. Caulk has an interesting career history, including as a librarian and research analyst before God called her to serve others through counseling. This means that her clients receive many book recommendations as part of their healing process!

Dr. Caulk is currently an Assistant Professor and the Director of Clinical Experiences at Huntington University. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a B.A. in English Literature, University of Illinois with an M.S. in Library and Information Science, Argosy University with an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, and a Doctorate in Philosophy of Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University.

Her research interests include creating trauma-informed churches; grief, loss and
lament; and the childfree by choice population.

Dr. Caulk married her high school sweetheart, Jason, and their non-traditional family includes Obie, a lab mix, and Fitzgerald, a gray kitty. When she’s not with clients or students, Dr. Caulk loves hiking, gardening, and laughing with friends and family. If you give her a book as a present, you are automatically her best friend.

Link to book referenced: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/the-coding-manual-for-qualitative-researchers/book243616